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====== Irma Examples ======

===== Five Configurations that will Compute =====

Confirm that the Weather_Routing Plugin has been installed.

__**Files & Pathnames** __

It is important that you use this configuration for Windows (Linux use comparable User accessible directories):

  - Main Path for support files: //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing//
  - WeatherRoutingConfiguration.xml: //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing//
  - Polar Files (.pol,.txt,.csv): //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing\polars//
  - Boat.Xml Files: //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing\boat//
  - Grib-Sample File: //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing\grib-sample//

(Note the weather_routing installation may not create these files in the correct location, and may put them under //C:\Program Files (x86)\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing/data//. If this is the case, just download the Weather Routing Setup files below and install as shown above.

=== Weather Routing Setup Files ===

Download and Unzip files and directories to //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing//

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:weather-routing-setup.zip|Weather Routing Setup}}

Unzip and install files & directories into //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing//  to follow the locations above. These files will provide you with sample files to help learn how to weather_route.

=== Run some Weather Routing Routes ===

  - Start Climatology_pi, although it will start automatically if called.
  - Start Grib_pi and open the Irma-Jose-2017090618.gfs.grib2 file located in //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing\grib-sample//  or just copy it to your normal grib file location.
  - Set the Grib Date to Wed, Sept 6 2017, UTC 21:00 and get the screen centered on the grib.
  - Then open Weather_routing_pi, you may be pointing at the wrong directory, so Pick "//File > Open//" and browse to //C:\ProgramData\opencpn\plugins\weather_routing//  and then select and open "//WeatherRoutingConfiguration.xml//".
  - Confirm the "Boat section" path is correct as shown above in the Pathname list.
  - Confirm the "Polar" path is correct as shown above in the Pathname list.
  - In the menu you should find 5 configurations for routes in the Caribbean.
  - Pick a route and then select "Compute from the bottom of the menu.
  - Check that the isobars and route is drawn. Then step through the Grib_pi changing the time to see where the boat is located and how the wind changes.
  - Try "Computing" the other routes, noticing how the settings have been changed, and what files are being used.
  - Once you are pretty confident about this, go to the next step, which is to create your own configurations.

=== Computation of 5 Routes ===

These are 5 Weather Routings in "**Weather-Routing-Setup**" that should **Complete**  when using the small grib file for hurricane Irma. Weather_routing would not normally be used for this, however in emergency situations it could be used to develop "avoidance" measures by setting "conservative" maximum wind speeds in your polar files. These routings below do find circuitous "avoidance" routes based upon their Polar File values, but the values could be made more "conservative". **The purpose of these examples is to illustrate the dependence of "Completed" routings on a number of values and constraints, to heighten the user's awareness of those values.**  When a routing //Fails//, the user needs to learn and understand what values need to be adjusted. Adjustment of //Time Interval//  is just one of the settings to be considered in **Weather Route Configuration**.

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-1-4hr.jpg?600|First routing- 4hr Interval}}

First Routing Default Settings - 4 hr Interval

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-2-5hr.jpg?600|Second routing- 5hr Interval}}

Second Routing Default Settings - 5 hr Interval

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-3-2hr.jpg?600|Third routing- 2hr Interval}}

Third Routing Default Settings - 2 hr Interval

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-4-3hr.jpg?600|Fourth routing- 3hr Interval}}

Fourth Routing Default Settings - 3 hr Interval

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-5-4hr.jpg?600|Fifth routing- 4hr Interval}}

Fifth Routing Default Settings - 4 hr Interval

=== Computation of Routes from Cape Canaveral with different Intervals ===

These routes are also in "**Weather-Routing-Setup**" and illustrate how different Time Intervals may interact with Land causing **Failures**  depending on the configuration of the Finish point with land masses. Notice that **Cape Canaveral 4 & 5**  (4 & 5 hour Time Intervals) both **Failed**. Changing to a smaller Time Interval is likely to help **Complete**  and so is changing the Default **Max Diverted Course**  from 100 to 150 degrees, both of which will require more computation. The other alternative is to use a different Weather Routing Position for the Finish, which is further away from the interfering land masses.

The //optimum weather route//  that is computed changes with the //Time Interval//  due to interaction with //Land mass//  at the edges of the //Wind data//. Choosing Finish points that are clear from **Land Masses**, Smaller **Time Intervals**  and greater **Max Diverted Course**  will generally help in these cases. The very different routes taken with each time interval all result in Trip times of 5days-1/2hr to 5days-4-1/2hrs which are quite small differences given the divergent routes. In planning your trips you may want to take advantage of these alternatives which are shown with use of different **Time Intervals**, depending on your goals.

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-1-1hr.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 1- 1hr}}

From Cape Canaveral 1- 1hr Interval

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-2-2hr.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 2- 2hr}}

From Cape Canaveral 2- 2hr Interval

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-3-3hr.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 3- 3hr}}

From Cape Canaveral 3- 3hr Interval

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-4-4hr-fail.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 4- 4hr fail}}

From Cape Canaveral 4- 4hr Interval **Polar:Failed**

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-4-4hr-fail-zoom.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 4- 4hr fail Zoom}}

From Cape Canaveral 4- 4hr Interval **Polar: Failed**  Zoomed

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-5-5hr-fail.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 5- 5hr fail}}

From Cape Canaveral - 5 hr Interval **Polar: Failed**

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-5-5hr-fail-zoom.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 5- 5hr fail Zoom}}

From Cape Canaveral - 5 hr Interval **Polar:No Data Failed**  Zoomed

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-5-5hr-maxdiv-150-complete.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 5- 5hr MaxDiv150 Complete}}

From Cape Canaveral - 5 hr Interval Fail Zoomed (Changed MaxDiv=150) **Complete**

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wr-setup-cc-6-6hr.jpg?600|Cape Canaveral 6- 6hr Complete}}

From Cape Canaveral - 6 hr Interval - On Default (MaxDiv=100) **Complete**

When there is a Compute //Failure//  try to understand why. Zoom in to where the routing is failing, to see and determine that the //Time Interval//  or //Destination Point//  is not right or too close at the complex land - sea interface. Then change the //Time Interval//  or move the //Destination Point//  further out to sea where the routing calculations can be made more easily. This is just one configuration consideration, there are others.

Here is a good example of "Avoidance Routing" around Irma. The polars could be made more conservative (and should be), and the routing will probably "fail" which would be a warning that a better "weather window" is needed. **Time to prepare for the hurricane rather than running weather-routings!**. 

{{opencpn:plugins:weather_routing:wx-rte-irma-avoidance-routing.png?600|Avoidance of Irma}}
\\
==== 5. WR Not a substitute for sound judgment & realistic goals ====

Why try to route into Irma? **You** must //Configure// weather_routing to match your //sound judgment// and //realistic goals//. You are in control, use your own judgement when you review the results. **This cannot be emphasized enough.**  Weather_Routing_pi is just a tool in your hands, you are in control.
